Roger F. Wise

Roger F. Wise
Roger passed away Monday, October 13, 2025, after a courageous battle with a rare cancer, accepting his illness with the same dignity and grace that defined his character throughout life. Roger was born on May 6th, 1942, in Winona, Minnesota to George and Florence (Lehnertz) Wise. Growing up in Rollingstone, he graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1960. Following graduation, Roger attended Lee's Barber School and started off his career in Wykoff as well as Rochester. As he developed his barbering and conversation skills in southeast Minnesota he met his future wife, Jan, in 1963 at a barn dance in rural Kellogg. They dated as Jan
went to nursing school in La Crosse and continued on as Roger ventured to a busy barbershop in Dinkytown near the University of Minnesota. The long-distance romance held strong, and they married at Immaculate Conception Church in rural Kellogg in 1967. Roger talked Jan into moving to the big city with him and she started her nursing career at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in the heart of Minneapolis. After a little more than a year in the city Carrie was born. When she was just two weeks old Roger moved his family to Wabasha where he started his own business. Upon arriving in Wabasha, Roger immediately immersed himself in community life, joining the Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees, Knights of Columbus, and the St. Felix choir. Chris joined the family in 1969 and Brian in 1973. Roger created countless memories for the family through camping adventures in the area, numerous cross-country road trips with the camper, teaching his children to water ski and fish on the river, and of course how to golf. Seeking new challenges while nurturing his love of singing, Roger joined the Winona Barbershop Choir in 1980, performing on stages and in countless local parades. His beautiful voice graced church choirs for over 50 years, and he cherished every member of these musical families (even when he tossed a bit of paper at them during a performance in hopes for a laugh). Combining his fascination with electronics and love of conversation, Roger pursued amateur radio as a lifelong passion. He participated in numerous contests, earned many awards, and communicated with operators in every country possible in the world. His close-knit group of ham radio friends shared this special bond.
Roger and Jan first met at a dance and enjoyed dancing whenever they could. They took ballroom dance lessons early in their marriage and embraced the popular 1970s square dancing trend. Anyone who witnessed Roger and Jan gliding across wedding dance floors would agree those lessons were money well spent. Golf was Roger's year round passion but especially during the summer months. “Life is golf…golf is life”. He treasured his senior golfing companions frequently seen together at The Bluffs at Coffee Mill. Roger and Jan explored many courses together over the years, with winter road trips always including golf. He was a “master scholar” in golf
etiquette and enjoyed sharing his love of the game with his children and grandchildren with constant reminders that “straight is long” and to “never leave a birdie putt short!” In 2003, Pepin Hill became home, fulfilling Roger's lifelong dream of having the perfect location for radio towers and antennas. Shortly after his arrival and at his urging, Pepin Hill launched its famous giant pumpkin growing contest, with displays enlivening downtown Wabasha during Septoberfest. Roger quickly earned the affectionate title "mayor of Pepin Hill”, taking immense pleasure in maintaining their four-acre paradise that became a cherished gathering place for family.
Just a few years after moving to Pepin Hill it was time to retire and reflect on his working life having served proudly as the town barber for 45 years. He frequently would say “Everyone that sat in my chair was an expert in something and I enjoyed learning from them (and also knowing who to call when I needed an expert).” Roger remained deeply invested in his children's and grandchildren's lives, always with a few prompting questions to hear what was going on in their lives, how they were doing, and to offer a couple words of advice as needed. His favorite words of wisdom included: "Aim for the stars and you will not end up in the mud" and "Remember to stop and smell the roses along the way." With his incredible sense of humor and perfectly-timed longform jokes he kept us all laughing. Even in his last days he was able to bring us deep into a story before dropping the punch line as we all laughed (and rolled our eyes). Roger is survived by his wife Jan. Children: Carrie McCormick, Christopher (Mindy), Brian (Valerie). Seven grandchildren: Madison McCormick (Derek), Brenna McCormick, Joseph (Allison) Wise, Andrew (Lindsey) Wise, Elliot (Mateya) Wise, Charlotte Wise and June Wise. Three great grandchildren, Russell, Lennon and Adelyn. One sister, Elaine Galewski, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Florence Wise, mother and fatherin- law, Leo and Loretta (Klees) Eversman. Brothers-in-law: Ron Galewski, Duane Mullenbach, Noel Hohberger, John Stopski, Tom and Tim Eversman, sisters-in-law: Bonnie Eversman, Jean (Eversman) Stopski, Judy Eversman, and Mary Eversman, niece Kristin Soderstrom, and great nephew Carter Eversman. Roger was so very thankful for the time he had with all of you. Though he is no longer with us on this earth and we will miss him dearly, rest assured that he has his opening joke ready to go as he enters the kingdom of heaven and heads to the first tee box asking “what’s the course record?” Mass of Christian Burial was 11:30 a.m. Monday, October 20, 2025, at St. Felix Catholic Church, Wabasha with Fr. Tom Loomis officiating. Interment was at St. Felix Cemetery, Wabasha. Visitation was 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, October 19 at Abbott Funeral Home, Wabasha with parish prayers at 7 p.m. Visitation began at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church. Family requests memorials to St. Felix Renovation Fund, 117 Third Street West, Wabasha, MN; Saint Elizabeth Foundation, 1200 Grant Blvd West, Wabasha, MN; or American Cancer Society – St. Paul, PO Box 21600, Saint Paul, MN 55121. Services entrusted to Abbott Funeral Home & Crematory, Wabasha, MN. Words of sympathy or remembrance may be left at www.abbottfh.com